Aluminum casthouses are facing a growing operational challenge of increasing the use of recycled metal without compromising melt quality, recovery rates or production efficiency. As manufacturers look to incorporate more post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminum, processing lightweight scrap, machining chips and other low-density materials has become increasingly important. Such materials are difficult to introduce into conventional melting furnaces, making efficient scrap feeding and submergence essential to improving recycling performance. The challenge extends beyond scrap preparation. Maintaining consistent temperature and chemical composition throughout the molten metal bath is critical to producing specification-compliant aluminum. Equipment used for circulation and stirring must...
ClearFlow Metalworks plans to invest $28 million in a new aluminum manufacturing facility in Russellville, Kentucky, marking an expansion of secondary aluminum production in the United States. The project is expected to create 50 full-time jobs, with its first phase designed to deliver an estimated annual production capacity of approximately 100,000 tons. The company, which focuses on sustainable aluminum recycling and production, will develop the facility in phases. Phase I will feature a secondary aluminum billet casting operation, processing recycled aluminum materials into billets for extrusion and other downstream manufacturing applications. The project will establish ClearFlow's manufacturing presence in the U.S. and support domestic demand for aluminum products while expanding...
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The economy of France is highly developed and free-market-oriented. It is the world's 7th largest economy by 2019 nominal figures and the 10th largest economy by PPP figures. It is the 2nd largest economy in the European Union after Germany. Bauxite importation of France during 2017-19 has been recorded at 3,659,787 tonnes and the revenue expended stood at $183.23 million. The bauxite import for 2020 has been projected at 1,253,881tonnes and the expenditure to remain at $62.93 million. However, when the analysed import volume and expenditure of 2020 has been added with the existing three years it displays 4,913,668 tonnes and $246.16 million. In 2017 the Bauxite import of the European nation has been marked at 901,688 tonnes and the expenditure remained at $35.35 million, whereas in 2018...
According to estimates released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on Thursday, July 2, Chinese new-vehicle sales continued to grow for the third consecutive month in June 2020, as the industry recovery from COVID-19 crisis gained speed in the past three months. Based on the data provided by key automakers, CAAM estimates that the industry-wide sales in June have escalated by 11 per cent to 2.28 million tonnes. With this, the total industry-wide sales are estimated to stand at 10.24 million in the first six months of 2020, marking a drop of 17 per cent from a year earlier, added the trade group. After a year-on-year shrink of 42 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, China’s new-vehicle market started rebounding in April with sales rising 4.4 per cent year over year. In...
Reuters reported Chalco would implement “flexible production” at three alumina production lines in accordance with market conditions. Flexible production is a phrase used to refer to output cuts. The three refineries, at subsidiaries Shanxi Huaxing and Shanxi New Material in northern China’s Shanxi province, represent about 10% of the company total capacity. The plants have total capacity of 1.8 million tonnes per year, state-run Chalco said in a Shanghai Stock Exchange filing. Chalco, which has an annual capacity of 18.86 million tonnes, produced 13.8 million tonnes in 2019. In April, the company said it would plan to reduce alumina production if prices remained low. Average alumina prices in China have increased over 10% from a four-year low in April to RMB2,287 per tonne but are down...
The average alumina spot price in China has recorded a significant hike for the fourth day in a row, higher from the earlier three days, found Shanghai Metals Market. SMM data shows the price has climbed by RMB 46 per tonne or 2.01 per cent to stand at RMB 2,333 per tonne, as of Friday, July 3, marking the second-highest growth this year since April 20 when the alumina spot price had increased by RMB 51 per tonne from RMB 2,064 per tonne to RMB 2,115 per tonne. In the east, the average alumina spot price has increased by RMB 30 per tonne to clock at RMB 2,290 per tonne, while that in the central and north has surged by RMB 55 per tonne to RMB 2,345 per tonne. In the south, however, the alumina price has remained restrained at RMB 2,520 per tonne. The imported alumina price has registered...
Alcoa of Australia Limited (Alcoa) decided to terminate its current lime supply contract with Adbri Limited. Adbri Limited announced that its subsidiary, Cockburn Cement Limited, has been informed by Alcoa that it would not renew its agreement. Lime is a strategic material needed for alumina refining. Adbri CEO Nick Miller said: “We are disappointed with Alcoa’s decision to displace locally manufactured product with imports from multiple sources, particularly considering our almost 50-year uninterrupted supply relationship. We will work quickly to mitigate the impact on local jobs supporting our lime business and we remain committed to supplying our WA resources sector customers.” The contract constitutes approximately $70 million in annual revenue for the Group. The company said its...
Three-month LME aluminium rebounded from a session-low of US$1,613 per tonne to a more than three-week high of US$1,630 per tonne before ending at US$1,624 per tonne. As of Thursday July 2, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1601.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1601.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1621.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1621.50 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1720.50 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1720.50 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1633775 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1472775 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 161000 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price is hovering at US$ 1614.34per tonne. SHFE Aluminium Price Trend Benchmark aluminium price for...
The new BMW 4 Series Coupe is now in production at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany. This new model is being produced at the plant alongside the updated BMW 5 Series Sedans, like the M5 and 5 Series Touring. Collectively the Dingolfing plant is rolling out the production of five different models at the very same time. The most exciting is the new 4 Series Coupe that pulls on a whole new design. Sitting at the top of the range is the M440i xDrive Coupe, which is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine that delivers 374 horsepower. Stylish sports coupes are an indispensable part of BMW model history and traditional at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, beginning with the BMW 6 Series Coupé in 1976. The BMW 4 Series Coupe is now rolling off the production line in Lower Bavaria after 44...
Hindalco Industries Limited has increased its aluminium products prices by again 1 per cent for the second consecutive time, with effect from July 1, 2020. With the latest hike, the company’s aluminium ingot price has come in at INR 139,750 per tonne compared to INR 138,000 per tonne on June 27, indicating a hike of INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.27 per cent over the week. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price and billet price, on the other hand, are respectively standing at INR 150,850 per tonne and INR 146,850 per tonne, marking growth of INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.17 per cent and 1.21 per cent from INR 149,100 per tonne and INR 145,100 per tonne on June 27. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange....
Even amidst the lockdown and economic disruptions due to COVID-19, Garnalex has reportedly continued to invest in new innovative aluminium window and door systems. As per the report, Garnalex is on track to launch its revolutionary beadless aluminium window system Sheerline Classic in July, followed by Sheerline’s Prestige window and door system at the end of the summer. The latest investment in Sheerline includes an integrated 85,000 ft2 assembly line, warehouse, and control centre. Besides, the company has expanded its fleet of Combilift forklift trucks, which, together with GarnerSys software operational management system, will ensure higher efficiency in Garnalex’s factories, warehousing, and logistics. Garnalex has also appointed an industry veteran Tony Basile who will work...
In an effort to bring in transparency and accountability in pricing and quality of imports, the Government of India will put in place import monitoring systems for aluminium. According to sources, the Ministry of Mines is at an advanced stage of the process to bring in the import monitoring systems. The manifesto is to monitor the import of 43 aluminium items under Chapter 76 HS codes out of a total of 91 items. The ministry has already held consultations with various stakeholders for this purpose. Monitoring of 43 items of aluminium will cover 99.08% of the total value of aluminium imported, which stands at INR 38,166 crore in FY19. India imports aluminium scrap worth over INR 17,000 crore. It is not very clear if the monitoring system will include aluminium scrap, which is mostly...
Unilever has collaborated with Aerosol can manufacturer Tubex for its new Rexona Recycled Refreshed antiperspirant product. Tubex will manufacture aerosol can for Unilever’s new range. The aerosol can is made of a patented aluminium alloy and 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. Leo Werdich, managing director of Tubex, comments: “Alloy, use of PCR, partially internal lacquered, internal powder coating and 14% lighter than its predecessor – this can is sustainability at its best!” The aluminium alloys makes the products 14% lighter than its predecessor. Unilever, Tubex, and Neuman Aluminium have partnered to develop and manufacture the new products range. This aerosol can is only partially (50%) lacquered. This saves additional resources. Unilever selects to use an internal powder...
The specialist distributor and manufacturer of electronic components, Charcroft Electronics, are sampling the highest energy-density aluminium electrolytic capacitors from Exxelia for energy-storage applications. Designers of energy-storage applications in the defence, railway, industrial and power-supply sectors can request samples of the FELSIC HC screw-terminal capacitors and SNAPSIC HC snap-in capacitors. The high density achieved by the aluminium electrolytic capacitors enables a 30% reduction in function price and a reduction in board space, weight, and assembly time. Samples of the FELSIC HC capacitors are rated at 200V, 300V or 450V, and the SNAPSIC HC samples at 400V or 450V. Both series deliver low ESR and support an ultra-long lifetime of 8,000 hours at 85°C with operation over...
Aluminium billet inventories in China have increased this week due to higher arrivals, found Shanghai Metals Market. SMM data shows the stocks of 6063 aluminium billet have rebounded by 6,900 tonnes week-on-week across five major consumption areas to stand at 73,200 tonnes, following a decline of 5,200 tonnes to 66,200 tonnes last week, June 24. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: Except Foshan, the hike in aluminium billet inventories has touched upon all the major Chinese markets this week. In Foshan, the stocks have declined by 4,800 tonnes to stand at 21,200 tonnes. In Wuxi and Nanchang, the inventories have hiked by 3,200 tonnes and 3,100 tonnes, respectively, to come in at 17,900 tonnes and 11,200 tonnes, while...
Constellium announced the release of its 2019 Business and Sustainability Report . The company outlines its progress against its sustainability goals. Constellium also aims to reduce GHG emissions by 25% compared with a 2015 baseline. “I am delighted by our significant progress. Achieving our Ecovadis Platinum ranking for corporate social responsibility practices and our ASI certifications are true testaments to our commitment to sustainability”, said Jean-Marc Germain, CEO of Constellium. “I am particularly proud of our achievements in improving our energy efficiency, which is at the heart of our efforts to limit our carbon footprint and reach our 2025 GHG target.” Constellium also received a MSCI ESG rating of “AA” in 2020. The report highlights 2019 milestone. As a founding member of...
The Financial Stability Committee of the Central Bank of Iceland anticipates that GDP to decline by 8% in 2020 as per its recent quarterly report. It notifies that while Iceland’s three commercial banks are in a strong capital and liquidity position, however, there is the risk that the Central Bank’s easing of policy instruments could lead to an increase in asset prices and an increase in the likelihood of systemic risk within the economy. Following this obligation, the FSC has published its newest quarterly report, which forecasts that GDP will contract by 8% this year. The report notes that despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iceland’s financial system is “on sound footing,” with private sector balance sheets have grown stronger in recent years, reinforced by deleveraging and...
Thirty-four new reverse vending machines have been added to the existing network of sixteen at locations islandwide in Singapore. The new machines that accept plastic and aluminium containers and dispense discount vouchers in return have been rolled at malls like IMM and Vedok Mall and complexes like the Toa Payoh and Jalan Besar Sports Centres. The new machines now give a wider range of reward choices to people who deposit receptacle plastic or aluminium cans. The rewards include free rides with bike-sharing firm Anywheel, CapitaLand malls vouchers, ActiveSG credit, and Sentosa Fun Pass tokens. On depositing ten drink containers into new machines, one can get a 50 cent ActiveSG credit, while existing machines dispense a 20 cent Fairprice discount voucher for every 20 containers...
The major industries of the Philippines include manufacturing and agribusiness. Within manufacturing, mining and mineral processing, pharmaceuticals, shipbuilding, electronics, and semiconductors are the focus areas. The Philippines' economy is based on food processing; production of cement, iron, and steel; and telecommunications, among others. The agricultural sector employs 25% of the labour force but contributes only 9.3% of GDP. Philippines import of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2017-19 has been remaining inconstant as the important volume displayed growth and de-growth. The import volume during the above period remained at 4610 tonnes and foreign revenue expended stood at $21.09 million. The projection for 2020 import volume of aluminium tubes and pipes has been analysed at 1670...
CNPC Powder, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with production facilities in China as well, has reported that it is producing a new range of aluminium alloy powder at its recently established Automated Metal Production (AMP) line. CNPC’s new range of aluminium powder is explicitly designed for Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) metal Additive Manufacturing. It is said to exhibit good flowability and sphericity with a few satellites. CNPC said its new aluminium alloy powder range would provide value to large-volume additive manufacturing applications in industries like automotive and aerospace. “We have achieved success with our AMP line and suite of Al alloys by redesigning atomisation beyond existing atomisation capabilities, such as VIGA, PREP and EIGA,” the company states. “This bottom-up...
